Belmond La Residence Phou Vao Hotel

If you’re looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of South East Asia’s most popular destinations like Thailand and Vietnam, landlocked Laos may be just the thing for you. A beautiful blend of East and West, there’s no better way to get to know Laos (more specifically, Luang Prabang) than from the comfort and luxury of Belmond La Residence Phou Vao Hotel. Located on the Phou Vao Hills, this beautiful resort offers an intimate tropical experience with arguably one of the most magical views in the world and it is only a 5 minute tuk-tuk ride to the city centre.

Top Tips

• The Belmond La Residence Phou Vao Hotel houses a total of 34 rooms, including 2 suites. All the rooms are equipped with everything you’d expect from a luxurious tropical 5 star resort; huge four-poster beds, mosquito nets and contemporary teak furniture. While all the rooms are well appointed and luxuriously designed, the rooms that come most recommended are rooms 501 through 504 that have spectacular views across the infinity pool and the lush valley below, and rooms 101 and 102 that are just a leap away from the pool and its loungers.

• Choosing which room to stay in at the Belmond La Residence Phou Vao Hotel comes down to two things; the price you’re willing to pay and the level of privacy you’d prefer. While the garden view rooms are cheaper, privacy might be an issue given that other guests will most likely walk through the garden and could potentially look into your room. Previous guests have recommended spending a little bit more money and booking a mountain view room for both the spectacular view and the added privacy.

• The Belmond La Residence Phou Vao Hotel gives you easy access to Luang Prabang’s city centre and as a result, easy access to the history and culture within it. Take a 5 minute tuk-tuk ride into the city and explore the temples and ancient architecture of this Unesco World Heritage site, which was once the ancient royal capital of the Lan Xang Kingdom. Another great attraction to explore in Luang Prabang is the famed market that by night sells crafts, trinkets and street food to hordes of tourists, but by day sell fresh and local produce.

• If you want a (literal) taste of Laos, go ahead and join a cooking class with the expert chefs from La Residence’s kitchen. It costs US$35 to learn how to prepare a three-course meal, US$51 including a market tour or US$91 if you fancy personal tuition from executive chef Nicolas Reynard. These classes are a great way to learn about and get a taste of the lesser known Lao cuisine.

• After a full day of temple hopping, why not reward yourself and indulge in one of the many treatments at the resort’s on-site spa, Mekong. Offering lush treatments like pampering facials, body wraps, scrubs and massages, Mekong Spa draws on Lao herbal remedies and botanical ingredients from local organic gardens and farms for all of their treatments.